The roar of cannons, the crack of rifles, the clip clop of horses’ hooves, the clash of sabers and the sound of fiddles and banjos will soon be heard at Historic Jefferson College.

On Saturday and Sunday, Historic Jefferson College presents its annual Wirt Adams Raid into Natchez Civil War Re-enactment.

Re-enactors from Mississippi and Louisiana participate in this event, which includes cavalry, artillery and infantry. The battle re-enactments begin at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. A bonus this year is an exhibition of Civil War rules baseball from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Red Velvet Concessions will be selling hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, snow cones and lemonade to the general public during the event.

These re-enactments are based on Confederate General Wirt Adams and his men’s battle with federal forces south of Natchez, on Dec.7, 1863. On Dec. 3, 1863, Wirt Adams brought a force 1,069 men to the outskirts of Washington, where they encamped.

From there, he sent scouts into Union-occupied Natchez to see if it could be taken. They reported that there were 1,200 white soldiers and 1,500 Negro soldiers and six heavy cannons guarding the approaches into Natchez and that it was futile for them launch a successful attack on the city. Adams then made his way to Kingston, and then to Ellis Cliffs, where he was going to harass river traffic. By Dec. 6, the federals knew of Adams’ presence and sent a cavalry force of 1,200 horsemen to attack the rebel army.

Adams was informed of the forth-coming attack, on the morning of Dec. 7, he moved first. The Union troops were caught completely off guard, and were forced to make a hasty retreat back to their cannons and fortifications in Natchez.

The Civil War camps will be open for the public at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Both male and female re-enactors will be on hand to answer any questions visitors might have about the life of a soldier during the Civil War.

A Civil War-era music concert, performed by a band composed of Civil War re-enactors, begins at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday following the battle. At 7 p.m. that evening, the band will play for the annual dance. This year’s dance is open to the public, and all who are interested in having fun should come out and participate!

Period clothing is not required to take part in the dance. On Sunday morning, church services will start at 10 a.m.

Visitors to the re-enactment should note that the museum gift shop has a variety of Civil War books for sale to the public. There are discount sales on many of these books, as well as other items, during the weekend of the re-enactment.

These items are great gifts for the history lovers in your family.

Historic Jefferson College is owned and operated by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and is located four miles east of Natchez off U.S. 61 North. For more information contact us at hjc@mdah.state.ms.us or call 601-442-2901.

Admission is free to all events but visitors are advised to bring their own chairs and blankets for sitting.

This event is sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. This event is also aided by a generous donation from Loyal Order of Moose, Natchez Lodge No. 1662, and the Natchez National Park Services.

H. Clark Burkett is the historian at Historic Jefferson College.